"I remember having a difficult time learning when I was young. I didn't want others to have the same struggles." Toni

I remember struggling throughout my school life in all the usual subjects but loved school.I remember being teased not only by my schoolmates but my own brother and the lectures from my parents "for not trying hard enough". I have a vision trouble so they finally attributed it to that AND our family moving every year since my dad was in the Navy. Like the children I work with daily will tell you, "I AM trying. I try harder then the other kids and still struggle." Forsome reason, I had a passion for people with special needs. My favorite book was "The Miracle Worker" and person I admired was Anne Sullivan Hellen Kellers' teacher. I must have read the book a million times and watched the movie a thousand times. I wanted to grow up and be another Anne Sullivan! Back in the 60's my dad's cousin had Cerebral Palsy (CP) needing total care. She was unable to even roll over, talk, or anything. I "knew" there had to be a way to improve her level of function and swore to 'find' it and help her. She passed away before I could. God was working in my life preparing me for what He wanted me to do.

My mom said I knew every disabled or shy child for miles around our home. I was drawn to befriending anyone with a special need. For whatever reason, when I was a teen I knew how many blind people lived in Orange County California as if anyone cared. I had a couple of blind friends so learned to read and transcribe braille. My first job was transcribing braille for a teacher who was blind! Somewhere along the line I learned 'exact signing'. After high school graduation, I was going to become a Mobility Specialist to teach blind people how to use a cane and function without sight. However, again God had different plans.

In 1974, I married and we have two daughters with special needs so started that roller coaster ride of fighting schools and everyone else. As you know, life in public school isn't easy. I decided to home educate them taking any class I could to learn how to teach my own girls!! It was difficult yet a blast! They are now in their 30's and doing well. During our home schooling years I heard about neurodevelopment so of course learned everything I could about it. I implemented some of the techniques at home and saw improvements so needed to know more.

During the late '90's & early 2000's I sought out two different neurodevelopment programs becoming trained and certified in both. I went on for training and certification in an auditory processing, neuro-technology and dyslexia programs. In '95 I returned to college earning a BA in Applied Psychology and BS in Developmental Psychology and 300 continuing ed credits in not only academics but behaviors, attachment (RAD) to mention a few. God must have thought I was ready!

One morning in December of 1999, I woke up told my husband I need a place for a school and went out to rent it. Our first place was on south hill by Huckleberry's. We initially started as an afterschool program offering only the neurodevelopment, auditory and neuro-technology (AVE) programs; but, by 2003 evolved into a WA state approved private school. Can Learn Christian Academy has worked with awesome bright kids for almost 20 years. we keep enrollment between 6-10 students to truly know our students and families which also allows us to provide as much 1:1 attention a student needs. We're PK-12th grade approved; however, don't accept new students over age 12/13. Why? They usually have major behavior issues and have "written themselves off." Then why do we say 12th grade? Many of our students aren't able to handle trasition into large group/school with a lot of noise and chaos so we'll be here for them !

Please look around the site read some of the different articles then call us. We're here for YOU! Not only are we a school but also hold a monthly parent support group! I'm also available with a listening ear! Toni Hager